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20 Jan, 2016 by Anonymous
As other reviewers have mentioned, Ms. Brauer charges high fees, but did very little. She is hard to reach. I don't think she needs new clients, or it's a strategy to make her seem important. In any case, when I asked why they are recommending that I withdraw the case at the end of my ordeal, she (or her assistant) told me that it is because they did not expect the other attorney to do so much research and build such a strong case. Really?
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04 Jun, 2014 by Anonymous
Laurel Brauer and her partner Colleen Hemingway have absolutely no business practicing family law. They present horribly in the courtroom, Ms Brauer stumbles and fails to articulate minor points. Their fees are exorbitant, and they are judgmental, rude, and lazy---they never arrive in the office before 10, and they are never in court either. Ms. Hemingway was buddy buddy with my ex husband, and was blatantly taking his side even though he violated a number of court orders regarding custody. If they had an issue with me, which they did, they should have made their bias known, and I would have sought other counsel, which I did ultimately, but $60,000 later and too late. They refused to represent my interests, and were clearly only experienced in financial issues regarding family law, not custody issues, In a 3 month time frame, they collected over 60k and resolved almost nothing. They were so late in filing emergency orders when my ex husband decided to move against court orders it proved disastrous to my children. They attacked me, my parenting, my personality, my clothes, and my relationships with every person in my life. Ms Hemingway has no children, but dispensed more parenting advice than legal advice, I was mocked and ridiculed by them for taking my kids out for fun weekend events, rescuing and keeping a stray dog, and having big birthday celebrations for the kids. They were supposed to fill adverse interests on the 401k and did not, enabling my ex to move funds and deplete the account. I don't know how they stay in business, but if you are going to pay $500 an hour I suggest you contact an a phenomenal female attorney in Tustin with a great reputation in the courts that actually works to represent your needs. These are two of the most dishonest people I have met in my 2 year divorce nightmare.
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12 Jun, 2013 by Anonymous
I never received a statement from this attorney (for three months) until I fired her (she claimed to not have email for 50 days). The bill was $9,000 for one filing of a boiler plate document and for a very unprofessional letter she sent on my behalf without my approval. The rest of the bill was padded with redundancies and review after review of what? I don't know! She additionally missed a filing deadline with the Court and expected me to pay for drafts of which should have been filed that I never saw. I cannot understand an attorney who claims to have no email for 50 days and whose website has been "temporarily under repair" for weeks on end. There are some very good attorneys out there and Laurel Brauer is not one of them. I have filed for an arbitration hearing regarding my statement and have filed a complaint against her with the Orange County Bar Association. She won't even respond to my letters regarding disputing her fees. She has her associate do so. She also informed me when I hired her that she had an office in Los Angeles. Apparently she does not and has not for some time. Find another lawyer.
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10 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
Showed up late for court. Was unaware of basic case law. The judge had to repeatedly educate him. Left our hearing to answer his phone. Very poorly trained attorney. Turned a simple case into something not winnable.
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19 Dec, 2018 by Anonymous
We hired Isaac for what we thought was a very simple breach of contract case. He showed up late for the court case and left twice in the middle of our hearing to answer his cellphone.
The judge had to inform him of some of the laws around the case as he apparently had quoted some no longer existent law.
Overall, very unhappy. We ended up letting Mr. Zfaty go and hiring another attorney.
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18 Dec, 2014 by Anonymous
I had an opportunity to work with Ms. Muldoon. She is abrasive, rude and condescending. She makes it appear like she knows a lot and really she doesn't. Sad to see the that lawyers like her give that profession a bad reputation. If you are thinking of hiring her, stay away and save your money for another attorney who will be cheaper and represent your interest.
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20 Feb, 2014 by Anonymous
I do not recommend Stephen Trella. His concern is more about his bill than your case and he will calculate his work according to your savings account. He let us down and destroyed our faith in honesty and accountability. We would have been better off doing the work ourselves.
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18 May, 2013 by Anonymous
Caught her in several lies and at times seemed to have an attitude and to her employees.
Her work seemed to be sub-par compared to other attorneys I have used in the past.
At times she wasn't paying attention. If I am paying for her time, I expect to have her attention.
I won't use her again.
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30 Oct, 2019 by Chris
I recently had a very unpleasnt interaction with Lynne Bolduc. I was refered by my current attorney to her. After a two short calls and email exchanges it appeared to me the advice I was being given was inaccurate according to the statute she provided me. When I questioned her about this she claimed I was harassing her and that she would block me on email. I felt horrible and couldnt umderstand why she would respond that way. I shared this with my attorney who referred me to her and they apologized to me for her unprofessional behavior. They also couldnt see any grounds for her responding that way. In retrospect I believe that with all Lynnes experience she has not learned how to be humble and admit when she has given inaccurate advice. She would rather "act a fool" and "slightly on the crazy side" than own up to a mistake. In my opinion she "lost it" when I brought forward discrepancies in the advice she gave to the statute she shared with me to support her advice. I would look elsewhere for an attorney.
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31 Aug, 2021 by Anonymous
Richard is completely incompetent and has little knowledge on what he’s doing. He also drags out hours to take your money and bill you more than needed. Things that should take one week have taken months.
He has lied on multiple occasions and had put myself and the opposing party in several unfavorable positions.
His work is lazy and has no eye for detail.
He often contradicted himself in his documentation.
He has little knowledge in his field.
Richard is truly awful, only hire him if you want to be scammed, belittled, and ensure whatever you do with him legal doesn’t hold up in court.
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14 Jan, 2022 by Anonymous
Kenneth Scott August, Esq. When a powerhouse law firm reviewed my case, it was discovered that Kenneth August, Esq. breached his fiduciary duties multiple times. His actions were egregious causing damages resulting in millions lost, including damage to reputations.
Do you not stake your life or business with this man. You will regret it. He is soft spoken and eloquent but he is untrustworthy, incompetent, and the worst kind of person to hold a legal license.
If you are a lawyer reading this review, think about the most basic ethical duties to a client and Kenneth August violated over half of them.
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What a Business Lawyer Can Do for You
A business lawyer provides critical legal guidance and support to entrepreneurs, startups, and established businesses. Whether you are forming a new company, drafting contracts, or navigating complex regulations, a business attorney ensures you are legally protected and operating within the law. They can also help prevent legal disputes or represent you in negotiations, transactions, or lawsuits that arise during the course of business operations.
Business lawyers have expertise in areas such as business formation, contract law, intellectual property, employment law, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance. They ensure that your business is compliant with relevant laws and help mitigate risks that could threaten your company's success.
When Should I Hire a Business Lawyer?
Hiring a business lawyer is essential at various stages of business development, including:
- Forming a business: When deciding on the best structure for your company (LLC, corporation, partnership, etc.), a lawyer can guide you through the registration and compliance process.
- Drafting contracts: If you need contracts for employees, partners, suppliers, or clients, a lawyer ensures these documents are legally sound and in your best interest.
- Mergers, acquisitions, or dissolutions: If you are buying, selling, or dissolving a company, legal counsel is critical to avoid costly mistakes.
- Compliance and regulatory issues: A lawyer can help navigate complex regulations, particularly in industries like healthcare, finance, or tech.
- Resolving disputes: Whether it's contract disagreements, intellectual property infringement, or employment issues, a business lawyer helps mediate, negotiate, or litigate on your behalf.
What Does a Business Lawyer Do?
Business lawyers provide a wide range of services that cater to different legal needs of a business. They can:
- Help you choose the best legal structure for your business.
- Draft, review, and negotiate contracts with employees, suppliers, customers, or business partners.
- Ensure regulatory compliance with local, state, and federal laws.
- Advise on tax strategies to minimize your business's tax burden.
- Assist with intellectual property protection, such as trademarks, patents, and copyrights.
- Handle mergers, acquisitions, and business sales, ensuring all legal paperwork is in order.
- Resolve disputes through negotiation, arbitration, or litigation.
How Are Business Lawyers Paid?
Business lawyers typically charge either by the hour or on a flat-fee basis, depending on the complexity of the work. Common payment structures include:
- Hourly rates: The lawyer charges based on the time spent working on your case. Rates vary depending on the lawyer's experience and location.
- Flat fees: For certain tasks, such as incorporating a business or drafting a standard contract, a lawyer may offer a flat fee.
- Retainer: Some businesses may hire a lawyer on retainer, paying a fixed amount each month to have ongoing access to legal services.
The payment structure is often discussed during an initial consultation so you can choose the one that best suits your business needs and budget.
How Much Does a Business Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a business lawyer depends on factors such as:
- The complexity of the legal issue: More complex matters, like mergers or intellectual property disputes, typically cost more than routine tasks like contract drafting.
- The lawyer's experience and location: More experienced lawyers or those in larger cities often charge higher fees.
- The nature of the billing arrangement: Hourly rates can range from $150 to $1,000 or more, depending on the lawyer's expertise. Flat fees are usually available for simpler matters like forming an LLC or drafting a standard contract.
It's essential to discuss fee structures upfront to avoid surprises.
Top Questions to Ask a Business Lawyer
Before hiring a business lawyer, ask the following questions during your consultation:
-
What is your experience with businesses like mine?
Find out if the lawyer has handled legal issues for companies in your industry. -
What services do you offer?
Ensure the lawyer can meet all your business's legal needs, from contract drafting to dispute resolution. -
What are your fees, and how do you bill?
Get clarity on how you'll be charged - whether by the hour, flat fee, or retainer. -
How do you handle conflicts of interest?
Ask how the lawyer ensures there is no conflict in representing your business. -
Can you provide references from other business clients?
Speaking with past clients will give you an idea of the lawyer's expertise and professionalism. -
Do you have experience in my specific industry?
Industry-specific knowledge can be crucial, especially in highly regulated fields like healthcare or finance.
How to Check the Credibility of a Business Lawyer
To ensure you're hiring a reputable business lawyer:
- Check state bar association records: Verify that the lawyer is in good standing and has no disciplinary actions against them.
- Look for client reviews or testimonials: Online reviews, testimonials, or word of mouth from other business owners can provide insight into the lawyer's reliability and effectiveness.
- Ask for references: A credible lawyer should have satisfied clients who can vouch for their services.
- Check professional memberships: Membership in respected legal organizations (such as the American Bar Association or a local business lawyer association) can signal credibility.
- Review their website and professional profile: A well-established lawyer typically has a professional website showcasing their areas of expertise, credentials, and case success.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most out of your first consultation with a business lawyer, prepare the following:
- A description of your business and its structure: This will help the lawyer understand your legal needs.
- Any current contracts or agreements: If you're seeking contract advice, bring copies of existing contracts.
- A list of legal issues or concerns: Be ready to discuss any potential legal challenges, such as regulatory compliance, disputes, or transactions.
- Financial documents: If applicable, bring financial records related to the legal matter you're seeking help with.
- Questions about fees and billing: Ensure you understand the lawyer’s payment structure and fees upfront.
By preparing these materials, you can ensure that your first meeting with a business lawyer is productive and informative.
